Steering Column Locking Mechanism for Misaligned Lever Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices face issues where the adjustment lever becomes stuck or damaged due to misalignment of the protruding and recessed engagement portions, requiring excessive force or causing deformation in the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A steering column device with an outer side locking member comprising a first and second element, biased by respective members, allowing the protruding engagement portion to engage and disengage with the recessed engagement portion, and a pivot shaft to prevent damage, even with axial misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with protruding and recessed engagement portions is used to hold the steering wheel position, then the steering wheel can be securely held at the adjusted position, but misalignment between the engagement portions causes the adjustment lever to become stuck or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engagement portions by introducing inclined surfaces that allow gradual alignment. The protruding engagement portion and recessed engagement portion are designed with complementary inclined surfaces that guide them into proper alignment during the adjustment lever operation, preventing misalignment issues while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment mechanism between the protruding and recessed engagement portions. The inclined surfaces act as intermediaries that facilitate smooth engagement by gradually guiding the components into proper alignment, preventing direct impact or sticking that would occur with misaligned rigid engagement portions.
2Ease of operation
If excessive force is applied to operate the adjustment lever when engagement portions are misaligned, then the lever can be forced to move, but damage or deformation occurs in the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the engagement portions with inclined surfaces that gradually guide alignment before full engagement. This prevents sudden impacts or excessive forces that would damage the locking mechanism, as the components are gently guided into proper alignment rather than being forced together misaligned.
3Device complexity
If a simple tooth portion engagement mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the locking mechanism is prone to misalignment and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the simple tooth portion engagement by adding inclined surfaces to the engagement portions. This maintains the simplicity of the overall mechanism while significantly improving reliability through the gradual alignment feature, preventing misalignment and damage without requiring complex additional components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables smooth operation of the adjustment lever to hold the steering wheel in the adjusted position without damaging the locking mechanism, even when the engagement portions are misaligned.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member that elastically biases the first element away from the inner side locking member
Implementation Method 2
a second biasing member that elastically biases the second element in a direction in which the protruding engagement portion engages with the recessed engagement portion
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem] To enable an adjustment lever to be operated to a normal position in a case where the adjustment lever is operated in order to hold a steering wheel at an adjusted position, even when positions in the axial direction of a protruding engagement portion and a recessed engagement portion are shifted, and to prevent a locking mechanism from being damaged.[Solution] An outer side locking member 40 includes: a first element 51 at least a portion of which is supported so as to be movable toward and away from an inner side locking member 39; a second element 52 that has a protruding engagement portion 65 and is supported such that the protruding engagement portion 65 is able to displace in an engagement-disengagement direction with respect to a recessed engagement portion 41 provided in the inner side locking member 39; a first biasing member 53 that elastically biases at least a portion of the first element 51 in a direction away from the inner side locking member 39; and a second biasing member 54 that elastically biases the second element 52 in a direction with respect to the engagement-disengagement direction such that the protruding engagement portion 65 is engaged with the recessed engagement portion 41.